Posted 13 years ago
cogito
(124 items)
Unusual British Arts & Crafts era refinished oak chest in a diamond-shape orientation with gargoyle featured heavy cast-iron sides and wrought iron leaf organic strap hinges on a claw-foot base. Dimensions: 31" (W) x 20" (D) x 19" (H).
This chest has all the design and decor choices typical of the British Arts & Crafts era, with the selection of oak as the base wood and Gothic/Pre-Raphaelite ornamentation. Quite possibly a unique piece by a expert cabinet maker and metal smith, but maddeningly with no identifying marks. Maker/manufacture unknown.
I would appreciate any thoughts on the piece, particularly in regards to its origin, manufacture, designer and/or maker(s).
Is it for books?
That possibility had not occurred to me. Currently it houses my young daughters' dress up clothes and costumes. Probably as far away from it's original intention as one could get, but we're firm believers in keeping the antiques functional and not purely decorative.
Love this! Such a cool piece and I can't think of a better use for it. I'm sure your daughter loves it! Thanks for sharing.
thats a great use, keep it fun
Beautiful! I've never seen anything like it!
I love it! Thanks for showing!
maybe for kindling and fire lighting material?
I saw one like it on the British ANTIQUES ROADSHOW and they claimed it was for storing Cutlery. It would be great to see the inside of yours. RER (LOUMANAL)
Thanks for the information! The inside of the "box" is completely simple. There is nothing inside to suggest that it was intended to be anything other to be a large open space. The coal bin hypothesis is my current top prospect, though I would be greatly interested to hear what the British Antiques Roadshow had to say!
Fabulous metal work!...:-)
How did I miss this? So very cool.
wowza!! great piece of arts/crafts! i was thinking it was small - like for a bottle of aged port, but if it houses your daughter's clothes, it must be bigger...
excellent way to show off quarter sawn oak!
Very, Very NICE Piece !!!
Thanks all for the recent flurry of complements. We have since moved on from it being used to house dress up clothes, and it now sits beside a reading lamp and chair and is an excellent bookcase.
Good to see it again.